Qantas Green frequent flyer tier

[sudoer]

Lots of posts here about how to get the 50 SCs for the least cost.

Does anyone think this will actually help the environment?

For those who usually hover around ~1000SC each year and are going to push for Plat with status runs or indirect flying, the 50 SC offered might prevent some unnecessary carbon emissions. The actual 5-6 tasks to hit green tier are going to make virtually no difference.

I wonder whether Qantas has considered selling top-up SC as a green initiative to reduce unnecessary flying for status. Something like $3/SC with a cap based on % of attain/retain target..

 

[Captain Halliday]

I wonder whether Qantas has considered selling top-up SC as a green initiative to reduce unnecessary flying for status. Something like $3/SC with a cap based on % of attain/retain target..

Given their financials, I’d be amazed if they hadn’t considered it as a source of quick funds and run some projections.

But I would also expect it would be towards the bottom of the list of options for myriad reasons including the precedent, long term cost, potential low take-up rate, outrage from LT status holders and more…

 

[dairyfloss]

Lots of posts here about how to get the 50 SCs for the least cost.

Does anyone think this will actually help the environment?

I suppose ‘awareness’ goes a long way… but, honestly, no.

 

[mviy]

Given their financials, I’d be amazed if they hadn’t considered it as a source of quick funds and run some projections.

But I would also expect it would be towards the bottom of the list of options for myriad reasons including the precedent, long term cost, potential low take-up rate, outrage from LT status holders and more…

I would consider spending $ or points to get status credits if they count towards lifetime status, but I agree this would set a precedent that QF may not want to set.

 

[Matt_01]

Lots of posts here about how to get the 50 SCs for the least cost.

Does anyone think this will actually help the environment?

I will buck the trend and take the points. With the QF offers on the table I will be P1 to mid 2023, WP to 2024 and LTG from 2025. Given this I will be doing my bit for the environment and will only need to book the 'one flight' in the foreseeable future and pay a few cents extra for the carbon off set.

 

[sudoer]

long term cost

Qantas could potentially exclude purchased SC from LTSC, but at the hypothetical $3/SC it would cost $42k for LTG and $225k for LTP anyway - which would obviously be profitable (anyone flying enough to extract more value than that must be close to earning the sort of SC needed for those levels anyway)

 

[FishFood]

I wonder how many more tiers they'll release after this, seems like the days of having half a screen full of Internet Explorer toolbars

 

[dairyfloss]

View attachment 273236
I wonder how many more tiers they'll release after this, seems like the days of having half a screen full of Internet Explorer toolbars

The exclusive 'Gateaux Status'

 

[mviy]

Qantas could potentially exclude purchased SC from LTSC, but at the hypothetical $3/SC it would cost $42k for LTG and $225k for LTP anyway - which would obviously be profitable (anyone flying enough to extract more value than that must be close to earning the sort of SC needed for those levels anyway)

I would think if they counted towards LTSC most would just purchase the extra they need to get or maintain Gold or Platinum unless getting pretty close or they felt such an opportunity was likely to not be around for long.

If they excluded top up SC it could slow progress towards Lifetime Status.

Still 50SC from Green Tier is a lot better than nothing.

 

[exceladdict]

I mean, by putting in the choice of 50sc or 10,000 points, they're coming about as close to costing status since people were previously offered to renew for points (i seem to recall offers to renew gold in the 80k range?).

 

[Mr H]

I mean, by putting in the choice of 50sc or 10,000 points, they're coming about as close to costing status since people were previously offered to renew for points (i seem to recall offers to renew gold in the 80k range?).

Back in the day, British Midland had a deal where they offered some people the opportunity to renew *A silver for a cash fee - 75 or 100 pounds. I think it was suggested this was not available to everyone and sometimes people who had missed by a (fairly wide) whisker were comped to silver renewal anyway.

For reference, silver got you into BD lounges but not partner lounges.

 

[Lynda2475]

I would expect these to count toward Lifetime status and requalifying in the year awarded. Only roll-over SCs should be excluded from Lifetime as that would be double dipping.

 

[NM]

is it a gift or donation? Tax deductible by any chance?

I expect that Qantas will claim a tax deduction when they pass on the funds or cash equivalent of the points "donation" to the charity. So since you are not giving the money directly to the charity, you will not receive a receipt from the charity that states that the donation of $2 or more is tax deductible, so you cannot claim the tax deduction.

 

[Daver6]

I expect that Qantas will claim a tax deduction when they pass on the funds or cash equivalent of the points "donation" to the charity. So since you are not giving the money directly to the charity, you will not receive a receipt from the charity that states that the donation of $2 or more is tax deductible, so you cannot claim the tax deduction.

Sorry I should have been clearer in my post. I meant if you pay using money rather than points.

 

[Mr H]

Sorry I should have been clearer in my post. I meant if you pay using money rather than points.

I think you can't make the donations with money - only points.

 

[NM]

Sorry I should have been clearer in my post. I meant if you pay using money rather than points.

You are paying the money to Qantas, not to the charity. So you don't get a tax deductible receipt from a registered charity. And Qantas then pays the money to the charity and guess what ... they get a tax deductible receipt from a registered charity. Qantas is not a registered charity, so any receipt they provide to you will not allow you to claim a tax deduction for the payment. It makes no difference whether you donante points or the cash equivalent. A payment to Qantas is not a charitable tax deductible donation.

** Note: this is not formal taxation advise and is my opinion based on my understanding of eligible tax deductible donations. Always verify taxation decisions with your accountant or qualified taxation advisor.

 

[Captain Halliday]

I mean, by putting in the choice of 50sc or 10,000 points, they're coming about as close to costing status since people were previously offered to renew for points (i seem to recall offers to renew gold in the 80k range?).

Indeed they have. At 1c per point:
LTWP $15,000,000
LTSG $2,800,000

 

[jakeseven7]

For people using corporate travel booking systems - is there a way to add carbon neutral flying after you book, if there isn’t an option when you book?

 

[http_x92]

It looks like the carbon neutral flight booking can only be done through the Qantas Website.

I will put the new booking on hold hoping that a DSC offer comes up later this month. Could happen.

 

[Lynda2475]

And i cant see anyway to add it to an existing booking online, which seems short sighted, as you can add other costs post booking including extra baggage etc.